In the afternoon of the 1st of December 2012, the 8-day Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service which took place at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education was drawn to an end with dignities, and with compassionate vows made by thousands of devotees whilst wholeheartedly chanting the holy name ‘Nanmo Amitoufo’ in the Grand Buddha Hall.

Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong visited Dharma Drum Mountain in San Francisco (DDM SF) during 2 - 4 November 2012 where he shared his views on how to make and fulfill vows and approach life with gratitude.

On the 26th and the 27th of October, 2012, the Dharma Drum Buddhist College (DDBC) hosted a special international conference entitled ‘Chan Tradition in Buddhism: Origin and Development’ in discussion of Chan’s origin and development in Buddhism – at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education.

The Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (DDMSWCF) set off on 7 October 2012 for a five-day mission to Haiti, which suffered a deadly earthquake in January 2012, killing approximately 270,000, injuring over 3 million and destroying 90% of buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince.